Monday, June 3, 2024

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (1998)

Vincent D'Onofrio and Edward James Olmos square off in a cracking good TV version of a New York subway hijacked for cash.

Fast moving telling of the tale is much better than expected thanks to a largely winning cast (only Lorraine Bracco seems weak) who put over the seriousness of the situation. Add to that the filmmakers choices to up date the story via motion sensors and to keep the film a gritty attitude you end up with a remake that is just as compelling as the original. (The film also gender flips two characters which actually adds to the tension if you are very familiar with the 1970's original)

If the film as any problems its in the fact it was shot for American TV which means that the film has limits as to the violence and language used. There are a couple of moments when the film can be felt to be pulling back from crossing a TV line.

Highly recommended- especially if you can see it without commercials

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